CLAUDIUS DU CHESNE

An exceptional Queen Anne period walnut and marquetry longcase clock of month duration with square dial and original caddy top by this well-known maker.

The case is veneered with highly decorative foliate marquetry scrolls and exotic birds. The elegant long trunk door with its brass moulded glass lenticle is surmounted by two original carved gilt wood trusses. All the crossgrain mouldings and hood pillars are in patinated walnut. The pull-forward caddy top hood is flanked by turned pillars with brass capitals. The caddy top is original and is surmounted by three gilt foliate carved wood finials.

The 12 inch square dial has an applied chapter ring with four corner spandrels each depicting cherubs supporting a crown. The centre is finely matted with an applied seconds ring and an aperture to view the day of the month. The blued steel hands are finely pierced and the maker’s signature – Claudius Du Chesne, Londini - is engraved on the chapter ring between V and VII.

The five finned pillar month movement has outside countwheel strike with the hours sounded on a bell. As one would expect from a maker of Duchesne’s stature, the movement is of the highest quality with fine wheelwork and substanial plates and the case stands comparison with the best cases of Daniel Quare and the clock retains its original brass bob pendulum and an original pair of brass clad month weights.

Date: circa 1710-1715

Height including finial: 105 ¾ in (268.5 cm)

*Claudius Du Chesne moved from Paris to London circa 1690. Du Chesne is recorded in Loomes’ Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World: Complete 21st Century Edition as being in the Clockmakers Company from 1693 to 1730. Loomes suggests Du Chesne worked from Dean St, Soho, London and was a maker of a number of exceptional bracket and longcases.